Barrel thimble

ABSTRACT

A barrel thimble for securing a ramrod to a barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm. The thimble includes a hollow tubular sleeve portion and flanges extending from the sleeve portion for engagement within recesses formed in the barrel of the firearm.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of firearms and,more particularly, to an improved apparatus for securing a ramrod orother equipment used in association with muzzle-loading firearms to thebarrel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a typical muzzle-loading firearm (including without limitation,muzzle-loading rifles, muskets, shotguns, pistols, cannon, and thelike), the main powder charge and the projectile are manually loadedinto the muzzle of the firearm. Many such firearms utilize a ramrodduring the loading process to seat the powder and projectile against thebreech of barrel. The ramrod is typically stored directly beneath thebarrel of the gun and is secured in place by at least one barrel thimbleas depicted in FIG. 1. Typically, thimbles are hollow tubes, whichpermit a user to slide a ramrod therein to support and house the ramrodwhen not in use. In the prior art, thimbles are typically attached tothe barrel of the gun with at least one separate connector such as ascrew or bolt, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Attaching a thimble to the barrel of the gun using this method canpresent many problems in the manufacturing process and may compromisethe structural integrity of the firearm. In order to utilize thismethod, a manufacturer must first drill one or more appropriate sizedholes in both the barrel and the thimble to accommodate the screw, andthe barrel must be tapped to accept the screw threads. Additionally, thescrew must be guided through the thimble and inserted into the barrel.Furthermore, the screw and barrel hole must be coated with a bondingagent or adhesive to keep the thimble from vibrating loose. And thethimble typically is a somewhat complex casting, with a radiused orangled recess to match the barrel's external geometry, adding toexpense. This procedure takes a considerable amount of time to completeand is costly for the manufacturer. Furthermore, drilling into thebarrel of a firearm may compromise the structural integrity of thefirearm and/or present a potential rusting point.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improved barrelthimbles and methods for securing a ramrod to a muzzle-loading firearm.It is to the provision of an improved method and apparatus meeting thisand other needs that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved barrel thimble and animproved method of securing a ramrod or other equipment to the barrel ofa muzzle-loading firearm. In example embodiments, the thimble includes asleeve portion for receiving the ramrod, and a pair of flangesintegrally formed with the sleeve portion for engagement withincooperating recesses formed in the barrel. The thimble preferably flexesto facilitate installation, and is resiliently biased into engagementwith the barrel to securely hold the thimble in place.

In one aspect, the invention is an improvement to a muzzle-loadingfirearm of the type having a barrel and a ramrod for loading aprojectile into the barrel of the firearm, the improvement being abarrel thimble for securing the ramrod to the barrel of the firearm whenthe ramrod is not in use, the barrel thimble having a sleeve portion andat least one flange extending from the sleeve portion for connection tothe barrel of the firearm.

In another aspect, the invention is a muzzle-loading firearm comprisinga barrel, a ramrod for loading a projectile into the barrel, and abarrel thimble for removably securing the ramrod to the barrel when theramrod is not in use. The barrel thimble preferably includes a sleevefor receiving the ramrod, and integral attachment means for attachingthe sleeve to the barrel without separate connectors.

In another aspect, the invention is a barrel thimble for securing aramrod to a barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm, the barrel thimbleincluding a sleeve and an opposed pair of flanges extending from thesleeve.

In another aspect, the invention is a barrel thimble for securing aramrod to a barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm. The thimble preferablyincludes a sleeve portion formed as a hollow tubular element having agenerally circular cross-section extending lengthwise about alongitudinal axis, and having an open end. A pair of opposed flangespreferably extend from the sleeve portion adjacent the open end, eachflange having a tip edge extending generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the sleeve.

In another aspect, the invention is a method of attaching a barrelthimble to a barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm. The method preferablyincludes the steps of flexing an opposed pair of flanges of the barrelthimble against the thimble's internal resilient bias, and releasing theflanges to allow tip portions of the flanges to engage within recessesformed in the barrel of the muzzle-loading firearm.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention willbe understood with reference to the drawing figures and detaileddescription herein, and will be realized by means of the variouselements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing generaldescription and the following brief description of the drawings anddetailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of theinvention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art thimble assembly showing a thimbleattached to a barrel of a firearm.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the prior art thimble assembly ofFIG. 1 taken at section A-A.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a thimble assembly according to an exampleembodiment of the present invention, shown attached to a barrel of afirearm.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thimble assembly of FIG. 3 takenat section C-C.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the thimble of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the thimble of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of the invention taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure.It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to thespecific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/orshown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments by way of example only and is notintended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in thespecification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particularnumerical value includes at least that particular value, unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein asfrom “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about”or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular valueand/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values areexpressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it willbe understood that the particular value forms another embodiment.

Referring now to the drawing figures, FIGS. 3-6 depict a thimbleapparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The thimble apparatus 10 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 mountedonto a barrel 20 of a muzzle-loading firearm 30. As depicted, thethimble 10 is mounted on a muzzle-loading rifle, but it can be readilyadapted for use on other types of muzzle-loading firearms by persons ofordinary skill in the art.

The thimble 10 preferably comprises a generally tubular hollow sleeveportion 15 for receiving and housing a ramrod 5 when the ramrod is notin use. It is preferable that the sleeve portion 15 of the thimble 10has a generally circular, octagonal, or otherwise configuredcross-section that extends about a longitudinal axis 17. In the depictedembodiment, the sleeve defines a slotted top opening 19 permitting thesides of the sleeve to flex relative to one another. The thimble 10further comprises at least one, and preferably two, flanges 12 extendingfrom the top of the thimble as depicted in FIG. 4, on either or bothsides of the slot 19. It is preferable that the thimble 10 is made outof stainless steel, brass, or other metal, but one of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that the material properties of the thimble canvary. The flanges 12 preferably extend from the edges of the sleeveadjacent the open slot 19 at the top of the sleeve portion 15 of thethimble, and have a smoothly curving profile to minimize stressconcentrations and provide flexure during installation. Each flange cancomprise a single continuous element extending along the length of thethimble, or two or more fins or fingers spaced at intervals along thelength of the thimble. In the depicted embodiments, each flange 12comprises an inwardly-recessed (concave when viewed from the thimble'sexterior) portion 14 adjacent its point of connection with the sleeveportion 15, an outwardly-curved (convex) portion 16 distal theinwardly-recessed portion from the sleeve, and terminates in an inwardlyand distally directed fin or tip 18.

Flexure of the sleeve portion 15 and/or the flanges 12 allows the tipsof the flanges 12 to be retracted away from one another (expanding theopen-slotted top 19), and the resilience or shape-memory of the sleeve'smaterial biases the flanges back toward one another, to facilitateinstallation of the thimble and retain it in place on the barrel. Theflanges 12 preferably also provide resilient flexure at the inwardly andoutwardly curved portions 14, 16, to facilitate installation and securethe thimble on the barrel. In alternate embodiments, the sleeve 15 doesnot include a slotted open top, and the flanges provide the flexure forfacilitating installation and securing of the thimble to the barrel. Andin still further embodiments, the sleeve portion provides the flexureand the flanges are substantially rigid.

In preferred embodiments, the inside diameter of the sleeve portion 15of the thimble 10 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of theramrod, to provide a running interference fit to secure the ramrod inplace and to minimize vibration of the ramrod against the barrel whennot in use. In example embodiments, it is preferred that the flanges 12extend from and be integrally formed with the sleeve portion 15, asdepicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. In order to secure the ramrod within thethimble 10, it is preferred that the sleeve 15 and the recessed portion14 have inner contours generally conforming to the outer contours of theramrod. Additionally, portions of the flanges 12 between theinwardly-recessed portion 14 and the outwardly-recessed portion 16 arepreferably shaped to generally match the outer contour of the barrel 20to provide more secure attachment and minimize vibration of the ramrod.

The thimble 10 preferably engages the barrel 20 via at least one, andpreferably two slots 22 or other recesses formed in the barrel. Theslots 22 are preferably continuous channels or grooves formed in thebarrel 20 adapted to receive the tip edges 18 of the flanges 12. Inalternate embodiments wherein each flange 12 comprises one or morespaced-apart fins or fingers, the slots 22 can take the form of one ormore discontinuous short channel segments or holes spaced along thebarrel. In further alternative embodiments, the slots are formed by theintersection of the barrel 20 and one or more ridges or otherprojections extending outwardly from the barrel. The slots 22 arepreferably aligned generally parallel to one another, and are spaced adistance apart from one another that is slightly greater than theunflexed spacing between the flanges 12 of the thimble, such that theresilience of the thimble holds the flanges snugly in the slots when thethimble is installed, preventing inadvertent removal of the thimble fromthe barrel. Preferably the slots 22 span the length of the thimble 10 asdepicted in FIG. 3. However, in alternate embodiments the slots may belonger than the thimble or may only be as long as cooperating portionsof the flanges 12. The slots 22 are preferably angularly offset from oneanother about the periphery of the barrel by between 45° and 75°, andmost preferably by about 60°. In the depicted embodiment, the slots 22are angled towards each other to accommodate inwardly-directed flanges12. In alternate embodiments, the slots 22 are directed parallel to oneanother, or are directed away from each other to receiveoutwardly-directed flanges. In alternate embodiments, the flangesdirectly engage the outer surface of the barrel, rather than beingreceived within recesses formed in the barrel.

The thimble of the present invention is preferably quick and easy toinstall. In one form of the invention, the flanges 12 are pulled apartfor insertion into the slots 22. The resilience of the thimble 10 willcause the flanges 12 to spring back toward their unbiased position andsecure the thimble to the barrel 20. In these embodiments, the tips 18of the flanges 12 are preferably angled inwardly towards each other suchthat when the flanges are pulled apart and inserted into the slots 22,the thimble is secured to the barrel 20 by inward bias of the tips ofthe flanges. In alternative embodiments, the tips 18 of the flanges 12are directed outwardly, in opposite directions, such that the flangesare pressed together for insertion into outwardly-angled slots 22, andthe thimble is secured to the barrel by outward bias of the flanges.Because the thimble 10 does not require a bonding agent to prevent itfrom vibrating loose, it may be easily removed for cleaning or repair ifnecessary, and replaced using the procedures outlined above.

While the thimble of the present invention has been described asutilized to secure a ramrod to the barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm,it will be recognized that minor modification within the level of skillin the art can be made to allow the thimble to secure other items to afirearm, such as for example, front and/or rear sights, telescopicsights, carrying slings, and the like.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferred andexample embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat a variety of modifications, additions and deletions are within thescope of the invention, as defined by the following claims.

1. In a muzzle-loading firearm having a barrel and a ramrod for loadinga projectile into the barrel of the firearm, the improvement comprising:a barrel thimble for securing the ramrod to the barrel of the firearmwhen the ramrod is not in use, said barrel thimble comprising a sleeveportion and at least one flange extending from the sleeve portion forconnection to the barrel of the firearm.
 2. The improvement of claim 1,comprising an opposed pair of flanges for engagement within cooperatingrecesses formed in the barrel of the firearm.
 3. The improvement ofclaim 1, wherein the sleeve portion and the at least one flange are aunitary integral component.
 4. The improvement of claim 1, wherein thesleeve portion comprises a slotted top opening, and the at least oneflange comprises an opposed pair of flanges extending from edges of thesleeve portion adjacent the slotted top opening.
 5. A muzzle-loadingfirearm comprising a barrel, a ramrod for loading a projectile into thebarrel, and a barrel thimble for removably securing the ramrod to thebarrel when the ramrod is not in use, said barrel thimble comprising asleeve for receiving the ramrod, and integral attachment means forattaching the sleeve to the barrel without separate connectors.
 6. Themuzzle-loading firearm of claim 5, wherein the integral attachment meanscomprises at least one flange for attachment to the barrel.
 7. Themuzzle-loading firearm of claim 6, wherein the barrel comprises a pairof spaced-apart recesses, and wherein the integral attachment meanscomprises an opposed pair of flanges for engagement within the pair ofspaced-apart recesses.
 8. The muzzle-loading firearm of claim 7, whereinthe sleeve comprises an open end formed by a slot defined between theopposed pair of flanges.
 9. The muzzle-loading firearm of claim 7,wherein each of the spaced-apart recesses comprises a slot extendinglengthwise along a portion of the barrel.
 10. A barrel thimble forsecuring a ramrod to a barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm, the barrelthimble comprising a sleeve and an opposed pair of flanges extendingfrom the sleeve.
 11. A barrel thimble as claimed in claim 10, whereinthe sleeve has an open slot along a top portion thereof, and wherein theopposed pair of flanges extend from edges of the sleeve adjacent theopen slot.
 12. A barrel thimble as claimed in claim 10, wherein thesleeve has a generally circular cross-section.
 13. A barrel thimble asclaimed in claim 10, wherein each flange has a smoothly curved profilewith inwardly-recessed and outwardly-curved portions.
 14. A barrelthimble as claimed in claim 12, wherein each flange has a portionbetween the inwardly-recessed and outwardly-curved portions contoured togenerally conform to an external profile of a portion of the barrel ofthe muzzle-loading firearm.
 15. A barrel thimble as claimed in claim 10,constructed as an integral component formed of a flexible material topermit the flanges to flex relative to one another and maintain a biasforce against the barrel of the muzzle-loading firearm.
 16. A barrelthimble for securing a ramrod to a barrel of a muzzle-loading firearm,the thimble comprising: a sleeve portion comprising a hollow tubularelement having a generally circular cross-section extending lengthwiseabout a longitudinal axis, said sleeve portion comprising an open end;and a pair of opposed flanges extending from the sleeve portion adjacentthe open end, each flange comprising a tip edge extending generallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve.
 17. The barrel thimbleof claim 16, wherein the tip edges of the flanges are directed inwardlytoward one another.
 18. The barrel thimble of claim 16, wherein thesleeve portion and the pair of opposed flanges comprise a unitarycomponent.
 19. The barrel thimble of claim 16, wherein each flange has asmoothly curved profile with inwardly-recessed and outwardly-curvedportions.
 20. A method of attaching a barrel thimble to a barrel of amuzzle-loading firearm, the method comprising flexing an opposed pair offlanges of the barrel thimble against the thimble's internal resilientbias, and releasing the flanges to allow tip portions of the flanges toengage within recesses formed in the barrel of the muzzle-loadingfirearm.